Indiana Commission for Higher Education
Agency Contact
Additional Contact
Secretary of State Contact
1: Important Agency Information to Note
Indicate the types of institutions that your agency authorizes.
- Note: Some agencies may refer to out-of-state public institutions as “private colleges” in their law. If this is the case for your agency, please select “public, out-of-state degree granting institutions” for purposes of this Guide so that the out-of-state public institution will find appropriate information.
- Note: If your agency is a coordinating board, your agency may have one division with some authority such as program approval over in-state public institutions that are established per statute, which is structured differently than another division of your agency with state authorization authority over non-public institutions that they “license” pursuant to different statute(s).
__X__ Public, in-state degree granting institutions
__X__ Public, out-of-state degree granting institutions
__X__ Private, in-state, not-for-profit degree granting institutions (Exempted institutions are specifically named (IC 21-7-13-6"Approved postsecondary educational institution,” authorization is limited to participation in state financial aid.) Link: http://iga.in.gov/legislative/laws/2018/ic/titles/021/#21-7-13-5
__X__ Private, out-of-state, not-for-profit degree granting institutions
__X__ Private, in-state, for-profit degree granting institutions
__X__ Private, out-of-state, for-profit degree granting institutions
_____ Public, in-state, non-degree granting institutions
_____ Public, out-of-state, non-degree granting institutions
_____ Non-degree, not-for profit institutions
_____ Non-degree, for-profit institutions
__X__ Religious institutions (Institutions may waive their right to religious exemption and apply for Indiana Board for Proprietary Education Institutional Authorization.)
_____ Tribally-controlled institutions
_____ Federal Institutions
_____ Municipal institutions
- For example, an agency may require an institution apply for licensure for institutional approval and also require the institution to apply for specific program(s) approval.
____ Institution
_____ Program
__X__ Both
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2: Authorization of Distance Education
Yes, unless the institution is a SARA Participating Institution.
The Indiana Commission for Higher Education (ICHE) adheres to the SARA established uniform standard for physical presence vs. distance education.
3: Accreditation by an Accrediting Agency Recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
Yes
Accreditation by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education required for:
__X__ Public, out-of-state degree granting institutions *
__X__ Private, in-state, not-for-profit degree granting institutions *
__X__ Private, out-of-state, not-for-profit degree granting institutions *
__X__ Private, in-state, for-profit degree granting institutions *
__X__ Private, out-of-state, for-profit degree granting institutions *
_____ Public, in-state, non-degree granting institutions
_____ Public, out-of-state, non-degree granting institutions
_____ Non-degree, not-for profit institutions
_____ Non-degree, for-profit institutions
__X__ Religious institutions **
_____ Tribally-controlled institutions
_____ Federal Institutions
_____ Municipal institutions
* Institution may have accreditation through either a regional, national, or specialized accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. DOE.
** A religious institution that waives the right to religious exemption may have accreditation through either a regional or national accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. DOE.
Institutions are required to be accredited or be seeking accreditation with an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. DOE.
4: Physical Presence Policy
The ICHE definition of physical presence reflects that of the SARA Policy Manual.
Does a virtual clinical / internship trigger the requirement for authorization with your agency?
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The Indiana Commission for Higher Education (ICHE) adheres to the SARA established uniform standard for physical presence vs. distance education.
5: Application Process
The Indiana State Portal Entity, which is the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (ICHE), requires that institution submit the Application and Approval Form for Institutional Participation In SARA, in addition institutions must verify that the Institutional Academic Program Inventory (API) is correct and provide a link to the institutional student grievance policy.
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6: Fees Associated with Authorization
The Indiana state portal entity has not established a fee for institutions applying for SARA participation. For authorization with a physical presence the SPE has established a fee of $1,000.00. For authorization with no physical presence the SPE has established a fee of $2,000.00.
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7: Surety Bonds
No
N/A
N/A
8: Student Tuition Recovery Fund
Yes, The Indiana Career College Student Assurance Fund (CCSAF) was established to refund students who attend for-profit degree granting institutions authorized by the Indiana Board for Proprietary Education.
Private, for-profit institutions
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9: Tuition Refund Policy
Yes, The Indiana Career College Student Assurance Fund (CCSAF) was established to refund students who attend for-profit degree granting institutions authorized by the Indiana Board for Proprietary Education.
Private, for-profit institutions
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10: Reporting
SARA Participating Institutions must verify the institutional academic program inventory and student complaint link. Institutions with a physical presence must report specific program data including headcount. Institutions with no physical presence must report program title and CIP Code.
Annually
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11: Enforcement
SARA Participating Institutions may not be renewed for participation. Institutions with a physical presence may not be re-authorized or not be authorized for new degree programs. Institutions with no physical presence may not be re-authorized.
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12: Student Complaints - Non-SARA Participating Institutions
The student should file a complaint through his/her institution of higher education’s established complaint process. Information on the process can usually be found in the institution’s academic catalog, student handbook or website. If the student is unable to resolve the complaint in this manner, he/she should proceed to filing a student complaint with the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (ICHE).
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Contact Name: Ross Miller
Title: Director of State Authorization and Reciprocity
Agency: Indiana Commission for Higher Education
Address: 101 West Ohio Street, Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Email: complaints@che.in.gov
Phone: 317.232.1033
URL: https://www.in.gov/che/2744.htm
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13: Records Retention
The institution is notified that student records and financial ledgers must be submitted to the Indiana Archives and Records Administration (IARA).
Agency Name: Indiana Archives and Records Administration
Contact Person: Various Staff
Contact Phone: 317.591.5222
Contact Address: N/A
Contact Email: arc@iara.in.gov
Contact website: https://www.in.gov/iara/
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14: Additional Information
The SPE is working to ensure that all institutions have adequate student transcripts and have samples of all student transcripts on file.
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Please note: There could be additional state agencies with oversight of activities of your institution.